GEARS TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE TRANSMISSION REBUILDING INDUSTRY MARCH 2012 PHONE (805) 604-2000 FAX (805) 604-2006


Chief Executive Officer Dennis Madden Managing Editor Rodger Bland


Technical Director Lance Wiggins Advertising Frank Pasley


Senior Designer Jeanette Troub Contributing Editors: Steve Bodofsky


ATRA Technical Staff: Hank Blair Bill Brayton Mike Brown Steve Garrett Pete Huscher Mark Puccinelli Mike Souza


Director of Membership & IT Svc Kelly Hilmer Seminars & Convention Manager Vanessa Velasquez ATRA Bookstore Deon Olmos


SPECIAL INTEREST & TECHNICAL 4


STREET SMART: A Silver Bullet by Mike Brown


10 KEEP THOSE TRANNYS ROLLING: Diagnosing the 2011 Chevrolet Volt 4ET50 Transmission


16 WIT The views expressed in this publication should not necessarily be interpreted


as the official policy of the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association (ATRA). Publication of product information or any advertising does not imply recommenda- tion by ATRA.


GEARS , a publication of ATRA, 2400 Latigo Avenue, Oxnard, CA 93030, is published for the betterment of the transmission industry and is distributed nine times per year. No part of this issue may be reproduced without prior written permission of the publisher. GEARS is distributed to members of the transmis- sion industry in the United States, Canada, ATRA Members in Mexico & Europe, and related automotive industry firms and individually. Send changes of address to GEARS in care of ATRA. Subscriptions are available by contacting GEARS in care of ATRA.


Advertisers and advertising agencies assume full liability for all content of adver- tisements printed and also assume full responsibility for any claims arising there- from against the publisher. The publisher reserves the unqualified right to reject any advertising copy as it deems appropriate, with or without cause.


GEARS is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard


to the subject matter covered. It is distributed with the understanding the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional service. If legal advice or other expert assistance, is required, the services of a competent profes- sional person should be sought from a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and Committee of Publishers.


GEARS also welcomes articles submitted by members of the industry. GEARS considers all articles for publication that contribute positively to the welfare of the transmission industry, and reserves the right to edit all articles it publishes. If you would like to submit an article to GEARS, include background information about the author and a telephone number where he/she may be reached. If you want submissions returned, enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope.


Editorial and Business Offices 2400 Latigo Avenue, Oxnard CA 93030 Phone (805) 604-2000


Fax (805) 604-2006 www.gearsmagazine.com www.atra.com


Publications Mail Agreement No. 40031403


Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: Station A, PO Box 54, Windsor, ON N9A 6J5 Email: gears@atra.com


Issue #164 Printed in U.S.A. Copyright ATRA 2012 20 What Ever It Takes Transmission Parts


A Unique Name For A Unique Business Proving Theyve Got What It Takes


by Steve Garrett by Travis Scott


Black Magic: The Art of Finding an Aftermarket Calibration


24 A Shifting Business Diagnostics and Driveability: A Functional Approach


by Mark Puccinelli


28 An Unusual Bind of a Different Kind by Mike Souza


32 Rideouts Transmission Repair: Serving Evansville for Over 55 Years!


by Steve Bodofsky


40 WHATS WORKING: Putting People Before Profits by Dennis Madden


48 Introducing the All-New GEARS Online Buyers Guide! by Pete Huscher


STREET SMART: A Silver Bullet Page 4


An Unusual Bind


of a Different Kind Page 28


Rideout’s Transmission Repair:


Serving Evansville for Over 55 Years! Page 32


DEPARTMENTS 2


FROM THE EDITOR: What Customers Really Want listen! by Rodger Bland


52 Powertrain Industry News 57 Shoppers and Classified 64 List of Advertisers


On the Cover: WIT —


What Ever It Takes Transmission Parts A Unique Name For A Unique Business Proving They’ve Got What It Takes Feature story on page 16. (Paid Advertisement)


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68